Matthew Johnson (Australian footballer)

Last updated

Matthew Johnson
Matthew Johnson 01 190425.jpg
Johnson in April 2025
Personal information
Date of birth (2003-03-16) 16 March 2003 (age 22)
Original team(s) Subiaco
Draft No. 21, 2021 National draft
Debut Round 3, 2023, Fremantle  vs. West Coast, at Optus Stadium
Height 193 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight 84 kg (185 lb)
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current club Fremantle
Number 44
Playing career1
YearsClubGames (Goals)
2022– Fremantle 54 (9)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 18, 2025.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Matthew Johnson (born 16 March 2003) is a professional Australian rules footballer who plays for the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Contents

AFL career

Johnson was drafted with the first selection of the second round, the 21st selection overall, in the 2021 AFL draft from Subiaco in the West Australian Football League, [1] after being widely predicted to be a first round draft selection. [2]

Johnson debuted for Fremantle in Round 3 of the 2023 AFL season against cross town rivals West Coast. Johnson was the named substitute and came on during the 3rd quarter for injured teammate, Heath Chapman. Johnson finished the game with 6 disposals in his first ever win. [3] He received a rising star nomination for his seven mark, nineteen disposal game against Port Adelaide in round 23 of the 2023 season. [4] He collected 20 disposals and kicked a goal the next week against Hawthorn at the MCG. [5]

Johnson made the line-up for Fremantle's opening game of the 2024 AFL season against the Brisbane Lions at Optus Stadium. He finished the match with eleven disposals. [6] He collected twenty-two disposals the next week against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium. Johnson was an important contributor in round nine against Richmond at the MCG, kicking a goal and equaling his at the time career-best disposal record of 25, a record which coincidentally was set the season prior also against Richmond. [7] He finished his third season at Fremantle having played a career-best 19 games.

Johnson collected a career-high 27 disposals in round one of the 2025 AFL season, against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium. [8] He would equal this record six weeks later, against Adelaide at Optus Stadium, during the Dockers annual Len Hall Tribute Game. [9]

Statistics

Statistics are correct to the end of round 24, 2024 [10]
Legend
  G  
Goals
  K  
Kicks
  D  
Disposals  
  T  
Tackles
  B  
Behinds  
  H  
Handballs  
  M  
Marks
SeasonTeamNo.GamesTotalsAverages (per game)
GBKHDMTGBKHDMT
2022 Fremantle 440
2023 Fremantle 44184413112525659460.20.27.26.914.23.22.5
2024 Fremantle 441931015215030268580.20.58.07.915.93.63.1
Career377142832755581271040.20.47.67.415.13.42.8

References

  1. Matthew Johnson, Fremantle Football Club, retrieved 13 August 2023
  2. "Dons' huge coup as Tigers 'steal' star; young gun's brutal snub: Draft winners and losers". Fox Sports. 24 November 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  3. Matthew Johnson to debut for Fremantle dockers in Western Derby against West Coast Eagles, The West Australian, 31 March 2023, retrieved 13 August 2023
  4. O'Connor, Alison (21 August 2023). "Talented Docker youngster earns Rising Star nom". afl.com.
  5. Kalinic, Dejan (26 August 2023). "Dockers bring down Hawks to end season on a high". afl.com.
  6. Player Match Stats, FoxSports, 6 May 2024, retrieved 6 May 2024
  7. "Johnson bullish on building his game following win over Tigers". fremantlefc.com.au. 5 May 2024.
  8. Slevison, Andrew; Geleit, Lachlan. "Who deserved more credit for their Round 1 performances?". Sports Entertainment Network .
  9. "TABtouch Team: Dogga returns!". fremantlefc.com.au.
  10. Matthew Johnson, AFL Tables, retrieved 13 August 2023